Brush section for a powered toothbrush

ABSTRACT

A brush section for use in a powered toothbrush, and a powered toothbrush utilizing the brush section are provided. The brush section has a generally disk shaped carrier from which extends at least one finger that has oral care elements, i.e., bristles and elastomeric cleaning members, extending outwardly therefrom to provide increased contact area between the oral care cleaning elements and oral gingival tissue for enhanced massaging thereof.

This is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/260,051, filed Sep.27, 2002, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety in thispresent application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a powered toothbrush, and moreparticularly, to a brush section having a partially disk-shaped carrierthat includes one or more tooth care elements (i.e., bristles orelastomeric members) extending therefrom to provide increased contactwith the teeth and/or the oral gingival tissue for enhanced massagingthereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Toothbrushes provide many oral hygiene benefits. For example,toothbrushes remove plaque and food debris to help avoid tooth decay anddisease. They remove stained pellicle from the surface of each tooth tohelp whiten the teeth. Also, the bristles combined with the brushingmotion will massage the gingival tissue for stimulation and increasedhealth of the tissue.

Powered toothbrushes have been available for some time. Poweredtoothbrushes have advantages over manual (non-powered) toothbrushes inthat they impart movement to the bristles at much higher speeds thanpossible manually. They also may impart different types and directionsof motion. These motions, generally in combination with manual movementof the toothbrush by the user, provide superior cleaning than manualtoothbrushes. Typically, powered toothbrushes are powered by disposableor rechargeable batteries that power an electric motor that in turndrives the toothbrush head.

Known powered toothbrushes include a brush head with a bristle carrierportion that rotates, oscillates or vibrates in some manner so as toclean the teeth. The bristles, which typically comprise bristle tufts,are generally uniform with one end fixed into the bristle carrierportion and the other end free to contact the surface of the teeth whilebrushing. The free ends of the various tufts present a surface envelopethat is capable of some deformation when the bristles bend. When incontact with the surface to be brushed, the bristles may deform so thatthe surface envelope tends to conform to the complex surface of theteeth. Human teeth generally lie in a “C” shaped curve within the upperand lower jaws. Individual teeth often have extremely complex surfaces,with areas that may be flat, concave, or convex. The more preciseconformation between the bristles and the tooth surface, the moreeffective the toothbrush may be in cleaning, whitening and stimulating.

Known powered toothbrushes typically arrange the bristles in a compactconical or cylindrical pattern on a generally circular, disk-shapedbristle carrier. The powered toothbrush heads are traditionally compact,generally oval in shape and the heads are produced with a flat trimmedbristle pattern. Alternatively, other head shapes and bristle patternsare available.

One example of a powered toothbrush known in the art is depicted in U.S.Pat. No. 5,625,916 to McDougall, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety. The toothbrush shown in McDougall has adisc-shaped bristle carrier. The bristle carrier, and thus the bristles,are driven in a vibrating or oscillating manner. This type of toothbrushis described herein with reference to FIGS. 1A-1C. A toothbrush 5comprises a handle portion 10 at a proximal end of the toothbrush 5 anda head 11 at a distal end of the toothbrush 5. The handle portion 10 hascompartments for containing a powered motor 14 and batteries 15 and 16.The head 11 includes a generally circular bristle holder (carrier) 13. Arotatable shaft 12 extends from the motor 14 to the head 11. A shaftcoupling 17 may be located along the shaft 12 and configured to providefor the shaft 12 to be separated at a point between the motor 14 and thehead 11. This permits the shaft to be removed from the toothbrush 5,e.g., for cleaning, servicing, or replacement.

The head 11 includes a post 18 that provides a rotational pivot axis forthe bristle holder 13 containing bristle tufts 19. The distal end of theshaft 12 has a journal or offset 20 that is radially displaced from thelongitudinal axis of the shaft 12. The bristle holder 13 has a slot 22that receives the offset 20. The offset 20 and slot 22 are configured soas to be oriented toward the intersection of the shaft 12 axis and thelongitudinal axis of the post 18. When the motor 14 rotates the shaft12, the motion of the offset 20 defines a circle about the shaft 12 axisand drivingly engages the slot 22 such that the bristle holder 13vibrates or oscillates about the post 18 axis through a rotational angleA. The rotational angle A is defined by the displacement of the offset20 from the shaft 12 axis relative to the diameter of the bristle holder13.

Powered toothbrushes such as those described immediately above provideadvantages over manual toothbrushes, but are subject to variouslimitations because of the relatively small head size. Providing arotating or oscillating bristle holder (carrier) with a typical oblongor oval toothbrush head constrains the size of the moving bristleholder, and consequently the area of bristles available for teethcleaning. Also, when the bristles are placed in contact with the teethduring brushing, there is less bristle contact with adjacent areas, suchas the gums, resulting in minimal stimulation of the gingival tissue.

One attempt to overcome the limitations of a small powered bristle areais shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,000,083 to Blaustein et al. The toothbrushin Blaustein et al. has a bristle area and pattern similar to a manualtoothbrush, but an area of the bristles has simply been replaced by apowered bristle section. The result is that the head has a powered ormoving bristle section and static bristle section. The limitation of thetoothbrush of Blaustein et al. is that the static bristle sectionprovides no better cleaning, whitening or stimulation than a manualtoothbrush.

International Application No. PCT/EP01/07615 of Braun GmbH discloses apowered toothbrush with two separate, movable bristle sections. Eachbristle section may have a different range and type of motion. Thetoothbrush of Braun, however, discloses only one powered bristlesection. The other unpowered bristle section moves due to a resonanceeffect imparted by the frequency of the movement of the first bristlesection.

This free resonance presents a number of difficulties. First, becauseany contact between the bristle parts will dampen or cancel anyresonance of the unpowered bristle part, the unpowered bristle section“floats” separately from the powered bristle section and the rest of thetoothbrush head. This necessitates separation or gaps between them.These gaps expose the internal workings of the head to foreign mattersuch as water, saliva, toothpaste, and food particles. This foreignmatter may interfere with the workings of the unpowered bristle head.For example, the unpowered bristle part is spring-loaded to assist itsresonance. Foreign matter may accumulate on or around the spring,interfering with its function. In addition, food particles may remain inthe head and may fester and host microorganisms, which are undesirableif not potentially harmful when introduced directly into the mouth.

Another limitation of such a design is that movement of the unpoweredbristle section may be damped by contact with the teeth, or lessenedwhen the frequency of the powered section shifts from the resonancefrequency. This can occur due to pressure imparted against the poweredbristle section by the teeth or gums during brushing. An additionallimitation is that the energy imparted to the unpowered bristle sectionis only a portion of the energy input into the powered section.Therefore, the unpowered bristle section is less effective in cleaningthan the powered section, limiting the overall effectiveness of thetoothbrush.

Thus, there is a need in the art for a powered toothbrush with increasedeffectiveness through a larger area of powered or driven bristles thanknown powered toothbrushes. There is also a need for a toothbrush havingincreased whitening and stimulation than known toothbrushes. There is afurther need for such improved toothbrushes to be comparable inmanufacturing and purchasing costs as known powered toothbrushes.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is a general object of the present invention to provide a poweredtoothbrush which avoids the deficiencies and limitation of the knownrelated art.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a poweredtoothbrush which enhances the cleaning effectiveness of the toothbrushhead.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a poweredtoothbrush which enhances the whitening effectiveness of the toothbrushhead.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a poweredtoothbrush which enhances the stimulating effectiveness of thetoothbrush head.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide apowered toothbrush which increases the area of powered driven bristlesor bristles that are otherwise movable from that of the related art.

Various other objects, advantages and features of the present inventionwill become readily apparent from the ensuing detailed description andthe novel features will be particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A powered toothbrush and a brush section for a powered toothbrush areprovided. The toothbrush includes a handle portion at a proximal end anda head at the distal end with a neck disposed between the handle portionand the head. The head has a movable bristle carrier that moves across acarrier support platform provided at the head. The bristle carrier has afirst portion closest to the distal end of the toothbrush, with thefirst portion being generally disk-shaped with a circular cross-section.The circular cross-section is partially interrupted by one or moreprotuberances or fingers extending therefrom in a direction toward thehandle and the proximal end of the toothbrush. The bristle carrier has aface extending across the first portion and across the one or morefingers. A plurality of bristle tufts and/or elastomeric members extendoutwardly from the face, which has a shape that is neither circular noroval.

The handle includes a drive mechanism which is drivingly engaged to thebristle carrier, whereby in use the bristle carrier is oscillatingly orreciprocatingly driven, the bristles and/or elastomeric members on theone or more fingers provide increased contact with the oral gingivaltissues for enhanced massaging thereof.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the foregoing detailed description when read in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features of the present invention will be morereadily apparent from the following detailed description and drawings ofillustrative embodiments of the invention in which:

FIG. 1A is a front cross-sectional view of a conventional poweredtoothbrush including a head;

FIG. 1B is a partial cross-sectional side view of the toothbrush head ofFIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a partial cross-sectional front view of the toothbrush headof FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a poweredtoothbrush in accordance with the teachings of the present inventionwherein a brush section thereof has a generally egg-shaped face;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a section of the toothbrush headincluding the brush section having the generally egg-shaped faceillustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the toothbrush head of FIG. 3 withparts broken away to illustrate the engagement of a drive structure withthe brush section;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of a section of another preferredembodiment of a toothbrush head in accordance with the present inventionfor use with the powered toothbrush of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the toothbrush head illustrated inFIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of a section of another preferredembodiment of a toothbrush head in accordance with the present inventionfor use with the powered toothbrush of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the toothbrush head illustrated inFIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an elastomeric contact element having afirst configuration and adapted for use in the toothbrush head;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an elastomeric contact element having asecond configuration and adapted for use in the toothbrush head;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an elastomeric contact element having athird configuration and adapted for use in the toothbrush head;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an elastomeric contact element having afourth configuration and adapted for use in the toothbrush head; and

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an elastomeric contact element having afifth configuration and adapted for use in the toothbrush head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENTINVENTION

Referring first to FIGS. 2 through 5, an exemplary powered toothbrushaccording to a first embodiment is illustrated and generally indicatedat 100. The toothbrush 100 includes a handle 102 at a proximal end thatdefines an interior compartment (not shown) for housing varioustoothbrush components and a brush section 104 that is defined by a neck106 that terminates in a head 120 at a distal end of the toothbrush 100.The handle 102 has a free proximal end 108 and an opposite neck end 110.The neck 106 generally extends from a first end 112 to a second end 114and generally forms the portion of the toothbrush 100 that extendsbetween the handle 102 and the head 120. The neck 106 also defines aninterior compartment (not shown) for housing various working componentsof the toothbrush 100. The head 120 is preferably generally aligned withthe longitudinal axis of the toothbrush 100.

In a preferred embodiment, the neck 106 is integrally formed with thehandle 102. In an alternate embodiment, the neck 106 is detachable fromthe handle 102 at the end 110 of the neck 106. In this alternateembodiment, the combined neck 106 and head 120 can be removed from thehandle 102 to permit cleaning, servicing and/or interchanging of eitherthe handle 102 or the combined neck 106 and head 120. When the neck 106is detachable from the handle 102, the first neck end 112 can include aconnector (not shown) that is adapted to be detachably joined to thehandle 102 using traditional techniques. It will also be appreciatedthat the point of detachment can be between the head 120 and the neck106 such that the head 120 is of a refill head type.

It will further be appreciated that the illustrated shapes of the handle102 and neck 106 are merely exemplary in nature and the handle 102and/or neck 106 can be formed to have any number of shapes. Preferably,the shape of the handle 102 and the neck 106 are ergonomically pleasingto a user of the toothbrush 100 and provide a toothbrush which is easilygripped, held, and manipulated by the user. The handle 102 may includeslightly recessed finger sections 118 which are preferably formed onopposite sides of the handle 102. One recessed finger section 118 isdesigned to receive the thumb of one hand and the other recessed fingersection 118 is designed to receive one or more other fingers of the samehand to thereby assist the user in proper placement of the toothbrush100. One or more of the recessed finger sections 118 may include ribs orother types of roughened surfaces to further assist gripping by theuser. Such surfaces having acceptable frictional characteristics, e.g.,rubber, are generally known in the art.

According to one embodiment and as best shown in FIG. 2, an uppersurface 107 of the neck 106 is contoured to have a slightly raised ridge109 that slopes downwardly toward the head 120. The head 120 of thetoothbrush 100 includes a head base 160 that partially defines an innercompartment 121 (FIG. 4) of the head 120. The head base 160 can beconstructed so that it terminates in a rounded distal end 162, whichactually defines the distal end of the toothbrush 100. Preferably, thehead base 160 is integrally attached to the second end 114 of the neck106.

The head base 160 also includes a carrier support platform 170 thatextends substantially across the head 120 from the neck 106 to therounded distal end 162. The carrier support platform 170 also partiallydefines the inner compartment 121 that is formed within the head 120.More specifically, the upper surface 107 of the neck 106 smoothlytransitions from the ridge 109 to the sloped portion and then finally tothe carrier support platform 170. The carrier support platform 170includes a first side 172 and an opposite second side 174, each of whichis preferably planar in nature. The first side 172 faces the interiorcompartment 121, which is at least in partial communication with theinner compartment of the neck 106, thereby permitting elements to extendthrough the inner region of the neck 106 into the inner compartment 121.

The head 120 also includes a movable bristle carrier 180 that has afirst portion 182 that is closest to the distal end of the head 106. Thefirst portion 182 is generally disk-shaped with a circular cross-sectionthat is partially interrupted by a protuberance or finger 184 extendingtherefrom in a direction toward the neck 106. As illustrated, the finger184 preferably slopes or ramps downward in a direction toward the neck106 so that a rear portion of the finger 184 seats against the carriersupport platform 170. In an alternative embodiment, there are two ormore fingers extending from the first portion 182.

The movable bristle carrier 180 thus preferably has a face 186 thatextends from and across the first portion 182 to and across the finger184 from which one or more tooth care elements 190 extend outwardlytherefrom. The face 186 preferably has at least one section that isgenerally sloped. As used herein, the term “tooth care elements”includes any type of structure that is commonly used or is suitable foruse in providing oral health benefits (e.g., tooth cleaning, toothpolishing, tooth whitening, massaging, stimulating, etc.) by makingintimate contact with portions of the teeth and gums. Such tooth careelements include but are not limited to tufts of bristles that can beformed to have a number of different shapes and sizes and elastomericcleaning members (see FIGS. 10-14) that can be formed to have a numberof different shapes and sizes, or a combination of both tufts ofbristles and elastomeric cleaning members. Bristle tufts may be arrangedon the face 186 in any configuration and those depicted are exemplary.Moreover, the bristle tufts may be arranged by any conventional methodsuch as stapled, IMT, etc. The bristles tufts may be formed withbristles of the same or different bristle materials (such as nylonbristles, spiral bristles, rubber bristles, etc.). Moreover, while thetooth care elements may be arranged so that they are generallyperpendicular to the face 186, some or all of the tooth care elementsmay be angled at various angles with respect to the face 186. When theface 186 includes bristle tufts, it is thereby possible to select thecombination of bristles configurations, bristle materials and bristleorientations to achieve specific intended results and operationalcharacteristics thus maximizing and enhancing cleaning, tooth polishing,tooth whitening, massaging, and stimulation.

While the movable carrier 180 has been defined as a movable bristlecarrier 180, it will be understood that the movable carrier 180 is notlimited to having only tufts of bristles as a part thereof. The movablecarrier 180 may include any number of suitable tooth care elements orany number of combinations of different types of tooth care elements.For example, the movable carrier 180 can include a number of elastomericmembers to provide the desired oral health benefits. The elastomericmembers may be attached to the movable carrier 180 using conventionaltechniques, including integrally forming the elastomeric members withthe face 186.

FIGS. 10-14 illustrate various exemplary elastomeric members that serveas tooth care elements. FIG. 10 shows an elastomeric tooth care elementin the form of a thin spike; FIG. 11 shows an elastomeric tooth careelement in the form of a barrel spike; FIG. 12 shows an elastomerictooth care element in the form of a squeegee point; FIG. 13 shows anelastomeric tooth care element in the form of an angled point; and FIG.14 shows an elastomeric tooth care element in the form of a section ofan elastomeric wall. The elastomeric wall of FIG. 14 may take the formof any number of shapes including but not limited to a linear, planarshape; a zigzag shape; a serpentine shape, etc. In the many contemplatedembodiments, the elastomeric tooth care elements may have smooth orrough surface textures. In addition, the wall sections of theelastomeric tooth care elements may be vertically straight, taper inwardtoward one end or expand toward one end. The tops of the elastomerictooth care walls may have a planar surface or may have a protrusion(i.e., hump). While the above describes various configurations ofelastomeric tooth care elements, those skilled in the art will recognizethat virtually any configuration may be achieved.

It will be appreciated that the various features of the describedembodiments may apply equally to bristle tufts, elastomeric members, orany combination of bristles and elastomeric members. In a preferredembodiment, the bristle tufts formed in one or more of the first portion182 or the finger 184 may have uniform heights or non-uniform heights.For example, the bristle tufts disposed in the first portion 182 mayhave a first height and the bristle tufts disposed in the finger 184 mayhave a second different height. Further, the heights of the bristletufts within one of the respective first portion 182 and the finger 184may have varying heights.

Referring to FIGS. 2-5, a plurality of bristle tufts 190 may be arrangedon the face 186. It will be will understood that the location andarrangement of the bristle tufts 190 in FIGS. 2-4 are merely exemplaryand the bristle tufts 190 may be arranged in any number of differentarrangements on the face 186. In a preferred embodiment, a first set 191of bristle tufts is arranged on the first portion 182 (e.g., in a seriesof concentric rings) and a second set 192 of bristle trufts is arrangedon the finger 184 (e.g., in a series of rows). Due to its shape, themovable bristle carrier 180 can be thought of as a generally egg-shapedmember arranged such that the end section with the smaller cross-sectionpoints toward the neck 106 and the handle 102.

The movable bristle carrier 180 is constructed so as to pivot above thecarrier support platform 170, thereby effectuating movement of thebristle tufts 190 that extend outwardly from the face 186. The movementof the movable bristle carrier 180 is preferably an oscillation typemovement. As best shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4, oneexemplary movable bristle carrier 180 preferably includes a peripheralwall 187 that defines an egg-shaped member and extends downwardly fromthe face 186. The peripheral wall 187 preferably seats against thecarrier support platform 170 but is permitted to move therealong. Themovable bristle carrier 180 preferably further has a base section 188that extends into an opening 189 that is formed in the carrier supportplatform 170.

The base section 188 includes the axis of which the movable bristlecarrier 180 pivots about and is preferably arranged in the head 120closer to the distal end of the head 120. The base section 188 is mostpreferably formed in the first portion 182 of the movable bristlecarrier 180 as it is preferred for the movable bristle carrier 180 topivot about the circular first portion 182. Accordingly, the pivot pointfor the movable bristle carrier 180 is most preferably at the center ofthe circular first portion 182.

The base section 188 and the opening 189 have complementary shapes topermit movement of the base section 188 within the opening 189. It willbe appreciated that the base section 188 may be integrally formed withportions of the peripheral wall 187 or the base section 188 may beformed inside of the peripheral wall 187. In both instances, a portionof the base section 188 preferably extends below the carrier supportplatform 170 into the inner compartment 121. The base section 188 hasone or more slots or openings 193 formed therein. The one or more slots193 are preferably formed at a peripheral edge of the base section 188so that each slot 193 can fully receive another member.

A post or the like 195 (see FIG. 5) provides a rotational pivot axis forthe movable bristle carrier 180, and more particularly, provides a pivotaxis for the base section 188 thereof. The post 195 has a first enddisposed in the head base 160 and an upper end of the post 195 iscoupled to the base section 188 such that the base section 188 canfreely rotate about the axis defined by the post 195.

In a preferred embodiment, the movable bristle carrier 180 may be asignificantly hollow member underneath the face 186 with the exceptionof the base section 188 that extends downwardly from the face 186.

The toothbrush 100 includes a drive mechanism to effectuate movement ofcertain parts of the toothbrush 100 and more specifically, for causingmovement of the movable bristle carrier 180. One exemplary drivemechanism is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,625,916 to McDougall, whichhas been previously incorporated herein by reference and includes arotating drive shaft 200 that extend at least through the neck 106(i.e., the inner compartment thereof). The drive shaft 200 has one end(not shown) that is operatively connected to a drive member (not shown),such as a motor or any other type of drive device, for impartingmovement to the movable bristle carrier 180. The drive shaft 200 has anopposing end 202 forming an offset crank such that the end 202 is notaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft 200.Opposing end 202 is preferably configured to be received in the slot 193so that the 360° rotational movement of the shaft 200 is transmittedinto an oscillating back and forth rotational movement of the movablebristle carrier 180.

It will be appreciated that in one embodiment, the crank end 202 of thedrive shaft 200 engages at least a portion of the slot 193 below theplane that contains the carrier support platform 170. The carriersupport platform 170 has a slot or opening formed therein to accommodatethe rotation of the drive shaft 200 which is fitted through this slot(opening), with the crank end 202 engaging the slot 193 of the movablebristle carrier 180. The carrier support platform 170 is designed tosubstantially cover the working components (e.g., the drive shaft 200)to prevent ingress of foreign matter, including water, toothpaste, etc.,into the inner compartments that house such working components.

The drive mechanism for the powered toothbrush 100 may be any type ofdrive, e.g., a rotating drive, an oscillating drive, an eccentric drive,an unbalanced-generated drive, a drive having one more gearingmechanisms, and/or any other known drive, that is capable of performingthe intended function. The drive mechanism may further be realized inthe form of an electric motor or other type of motor. The movementgenerated by the drive mechanism may be imparted to one or more sectionsof the head 120 or to other elements of the brush section that may bepresent. The movement may be imparted directly through a driving axle,such as drive shaft 200 or may be imparted through a driving postattached to the driving axle. When the toothbrush 100 includes anoscillating drive mechanism, either identical to or similar to theexemplary drive mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 1A through 1C, theinterior compartment of the handle 102 houses a motor operativelyconnected to the drive shaft 200 and a source to power the motor, suchas one or more batteries.

When the drive mechanism is actuated and the drive shaft 200 is rotated,the movement of the crank end 202 imparts an oscillating back and forthmovement of the movable bristle carrier 180 through an angle betweenapproximately 10° to 120° and preferably, the movement is through anangle between approximately 10° to 30°. The preferred reducedoscillatory range provides the further benefits of reduced cost andcomplexity of the toothbrush drive mechanism.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2-5, the first set 191 of bristletufts is preferably arranged on the first portion 182 generallyperpendicular to the face 186. Because the finger 184 is sloped downwardin the direction toward the neck 106, the second set 192 of bristletufts is arranged in a series of stepped rows such that at least some ofthe bristle tufts are angled relative to the bristle tufts in the firstset 191.

Referring to FIGS. 6-7, and in an alternate embodiment, the movablebristle carrier 210 has the same construction as the movable bristlecarrier 180 except that the movable bristle carrier 210 may include notonly bristle tufts but also one or more elastomeric cleaning members.Preferably, in this embodiment, the second set 192 of tooth careelements includes one or more elastomeric members in the shape ofupstanding elastomeric walls. Most preferably, a series of elastomericwalls 220 may be securely attached to the finger 184 of the movablebristle carrier 210.

In yet another embodiment, each of the elastomeric walls 220 has anarcuate shape with one elastomeric wall 220 preferably being spaced fromthe next adjacent elastomeric wall. It will be appreciated that theelastomeric walls 220 may be formed of the same elastomeric material ordifferent elastomeric materials and the heights of the elastomeric walls220 may be the same or different. In such an alternate embodiment, theheights of the elastomeric walls 220 are preferably such that the topsof the elastomeric walls 220 are contained within the same plane.

FIGS. 8-9 illustrate a movable bristle carrier 230 according to yetanother embodiment. The movable bristle carrier 230 is preferablyidentical to the movable bristle carrier 180 except that the movablecarrier 230 preferably includes not only bristles but also one or moreelastomeric tooth care elements wherein the second set 192 of tooth careelements includes one or more elastomeric members 240 formed in theshape of extended flags having a generally sinusoidal thickness. Mostpreferably, a plurality of elastomeric flags 240 may be securelyattached at base portions 242 to the finger 184 of the movable bristlecarrier 180. The base portion 242 preferably functions as a post foranchoring the elastomeric flag 240 to the finger 184 and a flag body 244preferably extends outwardly away from the post 242 at an upper sectionthereof.

While the flag body 244 is illustrated as having a generally rectangularshape, it will be appreciated that the flag body 244 may have any numberof different shapes (i.e., triangular, etc.). It will further beappreciated that the elastomeric flags 240 may be formed of the sameelastomeric material or of different elastomeric materials and theheights of the elastomeric flags 240 may be the same or different. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the posts 242 of the elastomeric flags 240are generally axially aligned; however, the posts 242 may be offset fromone another and do not have to be axially aligned with one another.

The toothbrush 100 according to the various embodiments disclosed hereinmay be made from any number of materials that are suitable for use inoral care products. For example, many of the components that areincluded in the toothbrush 100 are preferably formed from plasticmaterials. Accordingly, the handle 102 and head 120 of the poweredtoothbrush 100 may be molded from polyolefixens-such as polypropylenesand polyethylenes, polyamids such as nylons, and polyesters such aspolyethylene terephthalate. Other suitable materials includepolymethylmethacrylate, styrene acroylonitrate and cellulose esters, forexample cellulose propionate.

When the tooth care elements are in the form of tufts of bristles, thebristles of may be made from a flexible material suitable for dentalhygiene. Generally, materials suitable for bristles are polyamides, suchas nylon, or polyesters, such as polybutylene terephthalate. When thetooth care elements are in the form of elastomeric members, they may bemade from any number of suitable elastomeric materials, such as a blockcopolymer. Preferred block copolymers include styrenes (for examplestyrene ethylene butadiene styrene, or styrene butadiene styrene),polyolefins (for example polypropylene/ethylene propylene diaminemodified systems (i.e. synthetic rubber)), polyamides (for examplepolyamide (2 or polyanude 6), polyesters (for example polyester ester orpolyether ester), polyurethanes (for example polyesterurethane,polyethenuethane or polyesteretherurethane). In addition, natural orsynthetic rubbers can be used.

A powered toothbrush made in accordance with any of the presentembodiment offers a number of advantages over conventional poweredtoothbrushes that are presently available. The movable bristle carrieroscillates back and forth, or moves otherwise, and as the operatorbrushes his or her teeth, the oscillating tooth care elements (i.e.,bristle tufts and/or elastomeric members) contact the surfaces of theteeth and the surrounding areas to deliver enhanced cleaning, toothpolishing, and/or tooth whitening. The egg-shaped face of the movablebristle carrier permits the tooth care elements to be disposed in anumber of different patterns and the increased number of tooth careelements provide increased contact with gingival tissues and enhancedmassaging thereof. Advantageously, the circular first portion of themovable bristle carrier is orientated at the distal end of the head andthe finger extends toward and faces the handle, thereby permitting themovable bristle carrier to pivot without extending distally beyond theunderlying head base and permitting a circular arrangement of bristlesto be provided at the distal end.

Thus, while there have been shown, described, and pointed outfundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferredembodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions,substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the devicesillustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in theart without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Forexample, it is expressly intended that all combinations of thoseelements and/or steps which perform substantially the same function, insubstantially the same way, to achieve the same results are within thescope of the invention. Substitutions of elements from one describedembodiment to another are also fully intended and contemplated. It isalso to be understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn toscale, but that they are merely conceptual in nature. It is theintention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope ofthe claims appended hereto.

1. A brush section for a powered toothbrush having a drive device, thebrush section comprising: a carrier having a first tooth care elementregion including a face and at least one tooth care element extendingfrom said face; the carrier further comprising a second tooth careelement region extending longitudinally from said first tooth careelement region, said second tooth care element region having at leastone elastomeric tooth care element extending therefrom; wherein saidsecond tooth care element region moves in the same said path of motionas said first tooth care element region; and wherein said carrier isdriven to oscillate about a pivot axis that extends perpendicular tosaid face of said first tooth care element region.
 2. The brush sectionof claim 1, wherein the carrier is generally egg-shaped.
 3. The brushsection of claim 1, wherein the first tooth care element region has aplanar surface and the second tooth care element region has a slopedsurface.
 4. The brush section of claim 1, further comprising a head,wherein the head includes a carrier support platform disposed below thecarrier.
 5. The brush section of claim 4, wherein the base section isattached at one end to the face of the carrier and an opposite endextends below the carrier support platform through the opening formedtherein.
 6. The brush section of claim 1, wherein the tooth careelements comprise a plurality of elastomeric fingers.
 7. The brushsection of claim 1, wherein the tooth care elements comprise at leastone upstanding elastomeric wall.
 8. The brush section of claim 7,wherein the at least one upstanding elastomeric wall comprises aplurality of spaced elastomeric walls.
 9. The brush section of claim 8,wherein the plurality of elastomeric walls have different heights. 10.The brush section of claim 1, wherein the tooth care element comprises aplurality of bristle tufts.
 11. The brush section of claim 1, wherein atleast one of the first and second tooth care element regions includes aplurality of elastomeric fingers.
 12. The brush section of claim 1,wherein the face extends across both of the first and second tooth careelement regions.
 13. The brush section of claim 12, wherein said facehas a shape other than circular or oval.
 14. The brush section of claim1, wherein said second tooth care element region is in the form of afinger member extending longitudinally from the first tooth care elementregion to the proximal end.
 15. A powered toothbrush comprising: ahandle having a distal end and a brush section provided at a proximalend, the brush section further comprising a carrier having a first toothcare element region including a face and at least one tooth care elementextending from said face; the carrier further comprising a second toothcare element region extending longitudinally from said first tooth careelement region, said second tooth care element region having at leastone elastomeric tooth care element extending therefrom; wherein saidsecond tooth care element region moves in the same said path of motionas said first tooth care element region; and wherein said carrier isdriven by a drive device to oscillate about a pivot axis that extendsperpendicular to said face of said first tooth care element region. 16.The powered toothbrush of claim 15, further comprising a head, whereinthe head includes a carrier support platform disposed below the carrier,the carrier support platform having an opening formed therein forreceiving a base section of the carrier which engages the drive devicefor driving the carrier.
 17. The powered toothbrush of claim 16, whereinthe base section is attached at one end to the face of the carrier andan opposite end extends below the carrier support platform through theopening formed therein.
 18. The powered toothbrush of claim 15, whereinthe drive device further comprises a drive shaft, and wherein anunderside of the second tooth care element region of the carrier has ahollow section to accommodate movement of the drive shaft.
 19. Thepowered toothbrush of claim 15, further comprising a head, wherein thehead includes a carrier support platform disposed below the carrier. 20.The powered toothbrush of claim 19, wherein the base section is attachedat one end to the face of the carrier and an opposite end extends belowthe carrier support platform through the opening formed therein.
 21. Thepowered toothbrush of claim 15, wherein the tooth care elements comprisea plurality of elastomeric fingers.
 22. The powered toothbrush of claim15, wherein the tooth care elements comprise at least one upstandingelastomeric wall.
 23. The powered toothbrush of claim 22, wherein the atleast one upstanding elastomeric wall comprises a plurality of spacedelastomeric walls.
 24. The powered toothbrush of claim 23, wherein theplurality of elastomeric walls have different heights.
 25. The poweredtoothbrush of claim 15, wherein at least one of the first and secondtooth care element regions includes a plurality of elastomeric fingers.